Michelin donates tires, labor for Yellowstone path

Visitors celebrating Labor Day in Yellowstone National Park may notice something new underfoot when the visit the Old Faithful geyser this year.

A new rubberized walkway to the natural wonder was just installed, one that makes the most of recycled tires.

The walkway material uses 900 recycled Michelin tires and covers 6,400 square feet. The material comes with the benefit of not leaching oil into the soil, like asphalt can, and allows water to pass through, Michelin says.

It is produced by a company called KB Industries.

"The material used to create KBI's Flexi-Pave is completely benign and therefore can be used safely with the delicate aquifers here in Yellowstone," said Kevin Bagnall, CEO of KBI in a statement. "The path allows 3,000 gallons of groundwater to pass per square foot. It also is designed to diffuse the water's force, helping prevent erosion."

Michelin has a relationship with the park and says it has donated $300,000 worth of tires for park use since 2008. It also flew in employees to help create the footpath to Old Faithful.